lubricating the Bendix drive

[Donald]

I have my 110V starter out of snow blower to get access to under the gas tank. But while its in my hand maybe I should put a dab of grease where it spins out. Unsure what grease? I almost never use it. Maybe I should once or twice a year just to keep brushes in good shape.

 

[NHGUY]

If the drive gear is plastic,its self lubricating.

 

[eljefino]

Tacky would be better. Whatever ball joints use. Just get the outside teeth of the gear where they mesh the flywheel, the slidy part is sometimes a delicate balance of friction.

 

[4wheeldog]

Moly paste would be my choice. Almost dry, doesn't tend to collect solid particles.

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda-08734-0001-Moly-Grease/dp/B0083BWUYW

 

[cronk]

You want a thin grease. Thick will cause the bendix to stick in cold temps. I have used white lithium spray grease before. In a pinch, I have even used a few drops of motor oil.

 

[Lubener]

I wouldn't put anything on it. Any grease will stiffen up and cause it to hang up. On a new unit, you would not find anything on it.

 

[Donald]

The reason I asked was I helped a neighbor bring his snowblower to a repair shop and one of the things wrong was the starter would spin but not engage. So if I could do something to prevent that while the starter is out, that would be good.

I am 61 now and not planning on using the electric starter until I am 70.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Lubener
I wouldn't put anything on it. Any grease will stiffen up and cause it to hang up. On a new unit, you would not find anything on it.


Agreed. It wouldn't be ideal for grease/oil to sling around in there as well.

I know when I broke the recoil rope and had to use the E-start for the first time in many years on my MTD machine, a few solid taps to the starter was enough to free the bendix up. If things were really hung up on it, if it's possible to bench clean it and wipe-off excess lube, that's the route I'd go.

 

[Donald]

My shut-off valve came from Amazon so now I can install that and then put back the starter. A $20 part (B&S) made in China that when looking at it one would figure it at less than $5.

I will leave the starter alone except for trying it.

One of the bolts for the starter mounting bracket needed a 1/2" socket but the socket needed to be short. A normal 1/2" drive socket was too long. Luckily my 1/4" set went up to 1/2".

 

[asand1]

I was taught to use motor oil to lube a Bendix drive.